1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers season

Last updated

1979–80   Los Angeles Lakers season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach
General manager Bill Sharman
Owner(s) Jerry Buss
Arena The Forum
Results
Record60–22 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finish NBA Champions
(Defeated 76ers 4–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KHJ-TV
Radio KLAC
< 1978–79 1980–81 >
Magic Johnson at the Lakers championship rally, June 1980 Magic Johnson at Lakers championship rally, 1980.jpg
Magic Johnson at the Lakers championship rally, June 1980

The 1979-80 NBA season was the Lakers' 32nd season in the NBA and the 20th season in Los Angeles. It featured a 20-year old rookie Magic Johnson leading the Lakers to their seventh NBA Championship (second in Los Angeles), defeating the Philadelphia 76ers led by Julius Erving in six games in the NBA Finals, which was the first NBA Finals with a three-point line. This was also the team's first season under the ownership of Jerry Buss. Magic's season represented the birth of the Showtime Lakers.

Contents

Only 13 games into his tenure, coach Jack McKinney suffered a near-fatal bicycling accident November 8. General manager Bill Sharman elevated assistant Paul Westhead to head coach and hired former Laker Pat Riley as assistant coach.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
11 Magic Johnson GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Michigan State
114 Brad Holland GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States UCLA

Roster

1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C 33 Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)225 lb (102 kg)1947-04-16 UCLA
F 7 Byrnes, Marty 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg)1956-04-30 Syracuse
C 9 Chones, Jim 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)220 lb (100 kg)1949-11-30 Marquette
G 21 Cooper, Michael 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)170 lb (77 kg)1956-04-15 New Mexico
F 31 Haywood, Spencer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg)1949-04-22 Detroit Mercy
G 14 Holland, Brad 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg)1956-12-06 UCLA
G 32 Johnson, Magic 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)215 lb (98 kg)1959-08-14 Michigan State
C 54 Landsberger, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)1955-05-21 Arizona State
G 15 Lee, Butch 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)1956-12-05 Marquette
G 10 Nixon, Norm 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)170 lb (77 kg)1955-10-11 Duquesne
F 52 Wilkes, Jamaal 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1953-05-02 UCLA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 15, 1980

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 6022.732–37–423–1819–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 5626.683433–823–1818–12
x-Phoenix Suns 5527.671537–518–2219–11
x-Portland Trail Blazers 3844.4632226–1512–2913–17
San Diego Clippers 3547.4272524–1711–3013–17
Golden State Warriors 2458.2933615–269–328–22
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Los Angeles Lakers 6022.732–
2y-Milwaukee Bucks 4933.59811
3x-Seattle SuperSonics 5626.6834
4x-Phoenix Suns 5527.6715
5x-Kansas City Kings 4735.57313
6x-Portland Trail Blazers 3844.46322
7 San Diego Clippers 3547.42725
8 Chicago Bulls 3052.36630
9 Denver Nuggets 3052.36630
10 Utah Jazz 2458.29336
11 Golden State Warriors 2458.29336

Record vs. opponents

1979–80 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDENDETGSWHOUINDKCKLALMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSASSDCSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta —2–41–14–21–16–02–02–44–20–21–11–14–24–24–21–12–05–11–10–22–03–3
Boston 4–2—2–04–22–06–02–06–04–21–10–22–05–15–13–31–12–04–22–00–22–04–2
Chicago 1–10–2—2–02–41–14–21–10–23–31–51–51–10–21–11–53–30–24–22–42–40–2
Cleveland 2–42–40–2—1–16–02–02–42–42–01–10–23–33–31–51–10–24–21–10–21–13–3
Denver 1–10–24–21–1—1–13–31–11–10–61–53–31–11–10–21–52–41–13–31–53–31–1
Detroit 0–60–61–10–61–1—1–11–51–50–20–21–12–42–41–50–20–22–40–20–21–12–4
Golden State 0–20–22–40–23–31–1—1–11–13–31–50–62–00–20–22–42–40–23–30–63–30–2
Houston 4–20–61–14–21–15–11–1—4–20–20–21–13–33–32–41–11–13–32–01–12–02–4
Indiana 2–42–42–04–21–15–11–12–4—1–10–20–22–44–21–50–22–02–41–10–21–14–2
Kansas City 2–01–13–30–26–02–03–32–01–1—2–43–31–11–11–11–51–51–15–13–36–02–0
Los Angeles1–12–05–11–15–12–05–12–02–04–2—3–32–02–01–13–32–42–05–14–26–01–1
Milwaukee 1–10–25–12–03–31–16–01–12–03–33–3—1–11–10–24–25–10–24–22–44–21–1
New Jersey 2–41–51–13–31–14–20–23–34–21–10–21–1—2–41–51–10–23–31–11–11–13–3
New York 2–41–52–03–31–14–22–03–32–41–10–21–14–2—0–62–02–04–21–10–21–13–3
Philadelphia 2–43–31–15–12–05–12–04–25–11–11–12–05–16–0—1–12–04–21–11–11–15–1
Phoenix 1–11–15–11–15–12–04–21–12–05–13–32–41–10–21–1—6–01–12–44–26–02–0
Portland 0–20–23–32–04–22–04–21–10–25–14–21–52–00–20–20–6—1–14–21–53–31–1
San Antonio 1–52–42–02–41–14–22–03–34–21–10–22–03–32–42–41–11–1—2–01–11–14–2
San Diego 1–10–22–41–13–32–03–30–21–11–51–52–41–11–11–14–22–40–2—3–35–11–1
Seattle 2–02–04–22–05–12–06–01–12–03–32–44–21–12–01–12–45–11–13–3—5–11–1
Utah 0–20–24–21–13–31–13–30–21–10–60–62–41–11–11–10–63–31–11–51–5—0–2
Washington 3–32–42–03–31–14–22–04–22–40–21–11–13–33–31–50–21–12–41–11–12–0—

Game log

Regular season

1979–80 game log
Total: 60-22 (Home: 37-4; Road: 23-18)
October: 7–3 (home: 5–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 12@ San Diego W 103-102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10)3 players tied (4) San Diego Sports Arena
8,503		1–0
2October 16 Chicago W 105-96 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Johnson & Nixon (8) The Forum 2–0
3October 17@ Seattle L 110-112 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23) Jamaal Wilkes (9) Norm Nixon (5) Kingdome 2–1
4October 19 Portland L 82-99 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Norm Nixon (7) The Forum 2-2
5October 21 Seattle W 106-97 3 players tied (23) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 3–2
6October 23 Utah W 102-87 Abdul-Jabbar & Cooper (17) Jim Chones (16) Cooper & Nixon (7) The Forum 4–2
7October 26 Kansas City W 116-104 Magic Johnson (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum 5–2
8October 28 Golden State W 97-90 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Magic Johnson (10) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum 6–2
9October 30@ Chicago W 111-105 Magic Johnson (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Magic Johnson (6) Chicago Stadium 7–2
10October 31@ Milwaukee L 106-110 Norm Nixon (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18) Norm Nixon (12) MECCA Arena 7–3
November: 9–6 (home: 6–1; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
11November 2 Phoenix W 112-110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum 8–3
12November 6 San Diego W 127-112 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 9–3
13November 7@ Golden State L 109-126 Jamaal Wilkes (18) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Magic Johnson (6) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 9–4
14November 9 Denver W 126-122 (OT) Magic Johnson (31) Spencer Haywood (12) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 10–4
15November 11 Cleveland W 140-126 Jamaal Wilkes (25) Magic Johnson (16) Magic Johnson (12) The Forum 11–4
16November 13@ San Diego W 137-91 Magic Johnson (22) Ford & Haywood (8) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (6) San Diego Sports Arena 12–4
17November 15@ Kansas City L 108-114 Jamaal Wilkes (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Magic Johnson (7) Municipal Auditorium 12–5
18November 16@ Denver W 135-128 (OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Jamaal Wilkes (12) Johnson & Nixon (11) McNichols Sports Arena 13–5
19November 18 Indiana W 127-104 Jamaal Wilkes (21) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum 14–5
20November 20@ Portland L 99-114 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Magic Johnson (11) Norm Nixon (6) Memorial Coliseum 14–6
21November 21@ Seattle L 110-119 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Norm Nixon (11) Kingdome 14–7
22November 23@ Phoenix L 112-126 Magic Johnson (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14–8
23November 25 Kansas City W 111-110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Magic Johnson (9) The Forum 15–8
24November 27@ Utah W 122-118 Jamaal Wilkes (29) Magic Johnson (8) Magic Johnson (8) Salt Palace 16–8
25November 30 Chicago L 100-107 Norm Nixon (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) Norm Nixon (8) The Forum 16–9
December: 12–4 (home: 8–1; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
26December 2 Milwaukee W 116-103 Norm Nixon (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum 17–9
27December 4@ San Antonio W 127-121 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Johnson & Wilkes (9) HemisFair Arena 18–9
28December 5@ Houston W 116-114 Norm Nixon (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Norm Nixon (10) The Summit 19–9
29December 7 San Diego L 108-116 Magic Johnson (31) Magic Johnson (13) Norm Nixon (11) The Forum 19–10
30December 9 Denver W 131-118 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Abdul-Jabbar & Chones (9) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum 20–10
31December 14 Detroit W 138-122 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (9) The Forum 21–10
32December 16 San Antonio W 121-119 Nixon & Wilkes (27) Jim Chones (11) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 22–10
33December 18@ Chicago W 129-118 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (39) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Magic Johnson (13) Chicago Stadium 23–10
34December 19@ Atlanta L 112-119 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Abdul-Jabbar & Chones (8) Norm Nixon (10) Omni Coliseum 23–11
35December 21 Golden State W 114-108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum 24–11
36December 22@ Denver L 128-130 Jamaal Wilkes (24) Jim Chones (8) Magic Johnson (9) McNichols Sports Arena 24–12
37December 23 Seattle W 102-97 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum 25–12
38December 26@ Kansas City L 111-118 Johnson & Wilkes (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Municipal Auditorium 25–13
39December 27@ Utah W 124-116 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (11) Salt Palace 26–13
40December 28 Boston W 123-105 Magic Johnson (23) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18) Norm Nixon (8) The Forum
17,505		27–13
41December 30 Phoenix W 113-105 Jamaal Wilkes (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Norm Nixon (8) The Forum 28–13
January: 10–4 (home: 5–0; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
42January 2@ Indiana W 127-120 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Abdul-Jabbar & Haywood (7) Jamaal Wilkes (8) Market Square Arena 29–13
43January 6@ Milwaukee L 103-113 Jamaal Wilkes (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (8) MECCA Arena 29–14
44January 9@ Washington L 101-103 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Norm Nixon (6) Capital Centre 29–15
45January 11@ Detroit W 123-100 Jamaal Wilkes (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Magic Johnson (7) Pontiac Silverdome 30–15
46January 13@ Boston W 100-98 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (9) Boston Garden 31–15
47January 15 Utah W 112-99 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Jamaal Wilkes (10) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7) The Forum 32–15
48January 16@ Golden State W 97-96 Jamaal Wilkes (27) Spencer Haywood (11) Norm Nixon (9) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 33–15
49January 18 Atlanta W 108-102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum 34–15
50January 21 New York W 132-114 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 35–15
51January 24@ Portland L 103-111 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Norm Nixon (7) Memorial Coliseum 35–16
52January 25 Philadelphia W 124-103 Jamaal Wilkes (30) Michael Cooper (13) Norm Nixon (11) The Forum 36–16
53January 27 Milwaukee W 112-102 Magic Johnson (25) Jim Chones (12) Norm Nixon (8) The Forum 37–16
54January 29@ Cleveland L 153-154 (4 OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (42) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (17) Magic Johnson (8) Richfield Coliseum 37–17
55January 31@ Chicago W 107-97 Jamaal Wilkes (28) Jim Chones (12) Magic Johnson (11) Chicago Stadium 38–17
February: 9–2 (home: 5–1; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
All-Star Break
56February 5@ New York W 116-105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (17) Magic Johnson (11) Madison Square Garden 39–17
57February 8@ New Jersey W 125-120 (OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Magic Johnson (13) Johnson & Nixon (13) Rutgers Athletic Center 40–17
58February 10@ Philadelphia L 104-105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38) Jamaal Wilkes (8) Norm Nixon (10) The Spectrum 40–18
59February 13 Portland W 129-100 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Magic Johnson (9) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) The Forum 41–18
60February 15 Kansas City W 114-100 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Jamaal Wilkes (10) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum 42–18
61February 17 Washington W 111-107 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Magic Johnson (12) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 43–18
62February 20@ Denver W 116-103 Magic Johnson (30) Magic Johnson (12) Norm Nixon (6) McNichols Sports Arena 44–18
63February 22 New Jersey W 132-110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22) Abdul-Jabbar & Chones (14) Norm Nixon (7) The Forum 45–18
64February 24 Houston W 112-100 Jamaal Wilkes (29) Magic Johnson (8) Norm Nixon (11) The Forum 46–18
65February 26 Seattle W 131-108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Abdul-Jabbar & Wilkes (11) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum 47–18
66February 29 Milwaukee L 117-126 (OT) Norm Nixon (30)3 players tied (11) Norm Nixon (13) The Forum 47–19
March: 13–3 (home: 7–0; road: 6–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
67March 2@ Phoenix L 115-123 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Norm Nixon (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 47–20
68March 4@ Milwaukee W 127-124 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Norm Nixon (11) MECCA Arena 48–20
69March 5@ Kansas City W 117-101 Magic Johnson (28) Magic Johnson (16) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7) Kemper Arena 49–20
70March 7 Chicago W 101-99 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Magic Johnson (18) Magic Johnson (9) The Forum 50–20
71March 9@ Portland L 121-142 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (8) Memorial Coliseum 50–21
72March 11@ San Diego W 123-106 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (8) San Diego Sports Arena 51–21
73March 12 Portland W 102-94 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Magic Johnson (16) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum 52–21
74March 14 Denver W 132-126 Jamaal Wilkes (27) Mark Landsberger (16) Michael Cooper (8) The Forum 53–21
75March 16 Phoenix W 128-106 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Magic Johnson (13) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum 54–21
76March 18 Golden State W 118-100 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23) Jamaal Wilkes (11) Norm Nixon (8) The Forum 55–21
77March 19@ Phoenix L 108-112 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Norm Nixon (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 55–22
78March 22@ Seattle W 97-92 Norm Nixon (23) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Norm Nixon (10) Kingdome 56–22
79March 23 Utah W 101-96 Jamaal Wilkes (22) Jamaal Wilkes (11) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum 57–22
80March 27@ Utah W 97-95 Jamaal Wilkes (21) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (11) Norm Nixon (7) Salt Palace 58–22
81March 28 San Diego W 126-88 Magic Johnson (22) Mark Landsberger (10)3 players tied (5) The Forum 59–22
82March 30@ Golden State W 95-93 Norm Nixon (18) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (10) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 60–22
1979–80 schedule

Playoffs

1980 playoff game log
Total: 12–4 (Home: 7–2; Road: 5–2)
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 8 Phoenix W 119–110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (16) The Forum
15,892		1–0
2April 9 Phoenix W 131–128 (OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Magic Johnson (13) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
14,286		2–0
3April 11@ Phoenix W 108–105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (37) Magic Johnson (13) Norm Nixon (8) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		3–0
4April 13@ Phoenix L 101–127 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (13) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		3–1
5April 15 Phoenix W 126–101 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Norm Nixon (13) The Forum
17,505		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 22 Seattle L 107–108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)3 players tied (8) Norm Nixon (11) The Forum
17,505		0–1
2April 23 Seattle W 108–99 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
17,505		1–1
3April 25@ Seattle W 104–100 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Cooper & Johnson (10) Hec Edmundson Pavilion
8,524		2–1
4April 27@ Seattle W 98–93 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Johnson & Wilkes (13) Norm Nixon (8) Hec Edmundson Pavilion
8,524		3–1
5April 30 Seattle W 111–105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
17,505		4–1
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 4 Philadelphia W 109–102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
17,505		1–0
2May 7 Philadelphia L 104–107 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
17,505		1–1
3May 10@ Philadelphia W 111–101 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Norm Nixon (7) The Spectrum
18,726		2–1
4May 11@ Philadelphia L 102–105 Magic Johnson (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (9) The Spectrum
18,726		2–2
5May 14 Philadelphia W 108–103 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (40) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (15) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
17,505		3–2
6May 16@ Philadelphia W 123–107 Magic Johnson (42) Magic Johnson (15) Norm Nixon (9) The Spectrum
18,726		4–2
1980 schedule

Magic Johnson

Having won everything possible at the college level, Johnson decided to leave college two years early and declared himself eligible for the 1979 NBA draft. The New Orleans Jazz originally had the first draft pick, but they had traded the pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for NBA star Gail Goodrich. As a result, the Lakers drafted Johnson with the first overall pick, [2] signing him for a sizable salary of US$600,000 a year. [3]

Johnson joined a franchise which had gone through major changes. The Lakers featured a new coach in Jack McKinney, a new owner in Jerry Buss, and several new players. However, Johnson was most excited about the prospect of playing with his personal idol, the 7–2 center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who would go on to become the second leading scorer in NBA history. [3] From the first game, Johnson displayed his trademark enthusiasm for the game. When Abdul-Jabbar hit a last-second free throw line hook shot to win against the San Diego Clippers, Johnson ran around the court, high-fiving and hugging everybody, causing concern that the "Buck" (as Johnson was called by Lakers announcer Chick Hearn for his youth) would burn himself out. However, in that 1979–80 NBA season, the rookie proved them wrong. Johnson introduced an uptempo style of basketball which the NBA described as a mix of "no-look passes off the fastbreak, pinpoint alley-oops from halfcourt, spinning feeds and overhand bullets under the basket through triple teams". [2] Fellow Lakers guard Michael Cooper even stated that: "There have been times when he [Johnson] has thrown passes and I wasn't sure where he was going. Then one of our guys catches the ball and scores, and I run back up the floor convinced that he must've thrown it through somebody." [2] This style of basketball became known as "Showtime". Given Johnson was also a prolific scorer and rebounder, he soon led the league in triple-doubles, racking up 10-points-10-rebounds-10-assists games in a rate only second to NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson. [2] In addition, he expressed a raw, childlike enthusiasm which further endeared him to the fans. [4]

Johnson's average of 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game was enough to make the All-Rookie Team and become a starter on the All-Star Team, even though the NBA Rookie of the Year Award went to his rival Larry Bird, who had joined the Boston Celtics. [5] The Lakers compiled a 60–22 win–loss record, and with Paul Westhead replacing coach McKinney as a coach after a serious bicycle accident 13 games into the season, the Lakers reached the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Against the fierce resistance of Sixers Hall-of-Fame forward Julius "Doctor J" Erving and Darryl Dawkins, the Lakers took a 3–2 lead before Abdul-Jabbar went down with a sprained ankle. Coach Westhead decided to put point guard Johnson at pivot instead, and on the Sixers' home court, the rookie dominated with 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, lifting the Lakers to a 123–107 win and winning the NBA Finals MVP award. The NBA regards Johnson's clutch performance as one of the finest individual games ever. [6] Although only twenty years old, he had already won every trophy at the high school, college and professional levels. Johnson also became one of only four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years.

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 8238.3.604.000.76510.84.51.03.424.8
Ron Boone†617.7.350NA.8571.81.20.80.05.7
Marty Byrnes 326.1.500NA.8670.80.40.20.02.0
Kenny Carr†617.7.438NA1.0003.40.20.40.23.2
Jim Chones 8229.2.489.000.7406.91.80.70.810.6
Michael Cooper 8224.1.524.250.7762.82.71.00.58.8
Don Ford†5211.2.508.000.8211.90.70.20.33.0
Spencer Haywood 7620.3.487.250.7724.61.20.50.89.7
Brad Holland 385.2.423.200.9380.40.60.40.02.8
Magic Johnson 7736.3.530.226.8107.77.32.40.518.0
Mark Landsberger*2316.3.482NA.5187.10.60.40.27.0
Butch Lee*112.8.308NA.8570.70.80.10.01.3
Ollie Mack†275.7.420.000.5000.80.70.10.01.9
Norm Nixon 8239.3.516.125.7792.87.81.80.217.6
Jamaal Wilkes 8237.9.535.176.8086.43.01.60.320.0

*Stats after being traded to the Lakers.
†Stats before being traded from the Lakers.

Playoffs

PlayerGPMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1541.2.572NA.79012.13.11.13.931.9
Marty Byrnes 42.0.333NA.6670.30.30.00.01.5
Jim Chones 1627.4.407NA.6766.51.80.50.47.4
Michael Cooper 1629.0.407.000.8613.73.61.50.79.1
Spencer Haywood 1113.2.472.000.8132.40.40.00.55.7
Brad Holland 93.6.500.0001.0000.60.30.60.01.6
Magic Johnson 1641.1.518.250.80210.59.43.00.418.3
Mark Landsberger 1612.2.362.000.8334.30.10.20.13.4
Butch Lee 32.0NANA1.0000.30.00.00.00.7
Norm Nixon 1640.5.477.200.8043.57.82.00.216.9
Jamaal Wilkes 1640.8.535.176.8158.03.01.50.320.3

Awards and records

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References

  1. ↑ "1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats".
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Earvin "Magic" Johnson". NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  3. 1 2 Bork (1994), pp. 56-66
  4. ↑ Schwartz, Larry. "Magic made Showtime a show". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Magic Johnson Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  6. ↑ "NBA's Greatest Moments: Magic Fills in at Center". NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
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